Former Miss America Considers Running Against McConnell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could find himself facing a former Miss America in his bid for re-election next year if Kentucky Democrats get Heather French Henry to enter the race.

"I'm not saying no yet, but I'm not saying yes," Miss America 2000 told The Hill Tuesday, adding she has a yearning to enter politics but isn't sure if a 2014 campaign against McConnell is the right time and place.

"I certainly see myself, in the future, in some sort of political office," said French Henry, who is married to former Kentucky Lt. Gov. Steve Henry.

State officeholders have urged her to do it, French Henry told the newspaper. "There's not a day that goes by that someone doesn't mention it."

Democrats believe McConnell, whose approval ratings have been consistently below 50 percent, is vulnerable. Still, several potential candidates, including actress Ashley Judd, have decided not to challenge the Senate Republican leader, who is currently serving his fifth term in office.

In addition to French Henry, Democrats still see Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes as a strong contender to challenge McConnell, but she has yet to make a decision.

French Henry told The Hill that she and Lundergan Grimes are good friends and likely would discuss their intentions concerning the race before making any public announcement.